In Norv Turner's first season with the Chargers, his team won two playoff games. San Diego had not tasted a playoff victory since 1994.
The Chargers scrapped their way past the Titans and Colts, into the AFC Championship, where they lost to the undefeated Patriots. San Diego might have had a chance at an upset in New England, but the club ran into a stretch of bad luck. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Philip Rivers were shelved with bum knees, and tight end Antonio Gates tried to play with a dislocated big toe.
San Diego overcame a 1-3 start and cries to bring back fired coach Marty Schottenheimer. Turner did a masterful job of keeping the team together to have it peak at the right time. The Chargers won their final six games of the regular season to enter the playoffs riding a wave of momentum.
Now that the Chargers have gotten over the hurdle of actually winning a playoff game, they have to be considered favorites, along wth the Patriots and Colts, to challenge for the AFC title and a berth in Super Bowl XLIII.
And, with apologies to the Super Bowl champion Giants, those teams might just be the top three squads in the NFL.










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